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The Swimming Pool & Terrace
This traditional stone farmhouse is south facing with grounds of just over an acre. The large swimming pool (10m x 5m) basks in the hot rays of the sun all day long & the average minimum summer water temperature is 26 degrees. There is a shallow end & a deep end (about 2.3 metres deep) so you can jump straight in if you wish! The pool is surrounded on all sides with colourful flower beds with a sunbathing & dining terrace at one end where you'll find 4 loungers, chairs & a table with a parasol. Plastic tableware & cups are provided inside the gite so you can eat & drink on the terrace without worrying about breakages & broken glass. You can also enjoy swimming in the floodlit pool at night, if you wish, as the pool has underwater lighting. An alarm is fitted to meet current EU safety regulations, however children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Al Fresco Dining
Apart from dining by the pool, you also have your own private covered dining terrace with night-time lighting adjacent to the property. This offers shelter from the heat of the sun during the day & is an ideal place to enjoy a cold drink, have a barbecue or enjoy holiday al fresco dining. We even provide an excellent dining experience on-site for our guests if you fancy an evening off without worrying about having to drive. We offer four courses with wine from just 18 euros a head (reservations 24 hours in advance).
The Gardens
The pool area & main garden are in front of the farmhouse. The garden slopes down towards the river & there are lots of trees, particularly as you get closer to the water; a foxglove tree, weeping willows, a corkscrew willow & French oaks. The gentle greens of the trees & grass are offset by colourful displays of flowers around the garden with pots of geraniums & petunias by the house. There are plenty of shady spots when you want to retreat from the heat of the sun, such as the old Lime tree next to a shady garden area with a bench. Alternatively, you can take shelter under the covered dining terrace. At the rear, we also have a large garden with an orchard, soft fruit & vegetables, all organically grown. A bit of the French 'good life'!
OutdoorActivities
You are welcome to play softball games or badminton in the garden. Rackets & balls are provided. Tennis rackets are also provided if you want to borrow these to play a game of tennis, maybe at Brossac courts or on the beach. Alternatively you could try a leisurely game of Pétanque, French boules. We also provide a mini trampoline (suitable for children over 7).
There is also a rambling/cycling track through the woods just opposite. This a nice place to take a gentle stroll & watch the sun come down before dinner. It's also a great area for birdwatching and wildlife. All around us is good cycling country, a favourite pastime for the locals.
A little further afield, you could try horse-riding (10 minutes),quad biking & jet-skiing (5 minutes), pedallos (10 minutes) or kayaking (35 minutes). For golf enthusiasts, there are courses at Montendre, Aubeterre, Cognac, Angoulème etc. For more water sports, you could take a day out to the fantastic beaches along the Atlantic coast.
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